The Parent's Answer Book: 101 Solutions to Everyday Parenting Problems

Reference guide gives parents easy-to-use strategies for handling dozens of everyday situations successfully.

Since parenting books abound, new entries into this genre should be standout works. These two titles do not achieve that level of success. Child and adolescent psychologist Favaro presents his material in a question-and-answer format, covering a wide array of topics: e.g., sleeping, the media's influence on children, school, homework, friends, and the effects of divorce. The variety of scenarios he presents could be useful for dealing with these issues, but, unfortunately, they touch just the tip of the iceberg. While Favaro offers too little in the way of answers, McIntire (psychology, Univ. of Maryland) is mired down in the information she presents. Though her book claims to cover ages two to ten, it focuses on the school-aged child. The text is wordy, and underlining is overused. Simple dialogs given as examples are not effective. One of the ideas presented for behavior modification is a behavior page, which is to be used to describe the date, time, and sequence of events for an undesirable behavior. What busy parent will have the patience for this kind of paperwork? The Parent's Answer Book is recommended for purchase only for large, well-circulating collections; Enjoy Successful Parenting is not recommended.
Priscilla Davis Dann, Gates Mills P.L., Cleveland
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.